2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
89/100
#2 most-complained of 10 MKZ Hybrid years
The 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid has a Complaint Index of 89, ranked 2nd worst out of 10 model years, with 59 complaints. Steering (32%) and airbag (29%) issues dominate, and NHTSA lists zero recalls for this year.
- Complaints
- 59
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 38
- 41 city / 35 hwy
Top 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
What owners report
- Power steering suddenly quits with no warning, sometimes triggering a service message, at low mileage.
- Engine shuts off unexpectedly while driving at highway speeds, accompanied by a "stop safely now" warning and loss of accessories like the radio and air conditioner.
- Vehicle loses steering and braking assist simultaneously after the engine cuts out, forcing the driver to coast to a stop.
- "Stop car safety now" warning appears with no diagnostic codes found by dealers, even after multiple days of testing.
- Driver-side door becomes difficult or impossible to open from inside after the door handle mechanism snaps.
- Car loses power on the road and requires a hybrid battery replacement to resolve stalling.
2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 41 MPG
- Highway
- 35 MPG
- Combined
- 38 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other MKZ Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid reliable?
- Compared to other MKZ Hybrid years, 2012 ranks poorly. It has a Complaint Index of 89, the 2nd worst of 10 model years, driven mainly by steering and airbag complaints.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid?
- NHTSA complaints show steering issues (32% of complaints, median mileage 63,000), airbag issues (29%, median mileage 52,750), and brake issues (15%, median mileage 45,250) as the top problem areas.
- Does the 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid have any recalls?
- No. NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid.
- How does the 2012 MKZ Hybrid compare to other years?
- The 2012 model's Complaint Index of 89 is worse than 2011 (78), 2013 (44), 2015 (67), 2016 (33), and 2017 (56), but slightly better than 2014 (100), which is the worst year.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid?
- EPA rates it at 38 mpg combined (41 city / 35 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,700.